In March 1993, when Soul Asylum performed "Runaway Train" live on *Later...with Jools Holland*, the band was riding the wave of their commercial breakthrough. This performance took place shortly after the release of their album *Grave Dancers Union*, which had been released in September 1992 and featured the hit single "Runaway Train." The album marked a significant turning point in their career, propelling them into mainstream success and earning them a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance. This period also saw Soul Asylum gaining notoriety for their energetic live performances, further cementing their reputation in the alternative rock scene of the early '90s. The resonance of "Runaway Train" was not only massive commercially but also poignant, as it addressed themes of despair and loss, making it a standout moment in the band's narrative and a defining track of the era.